UFC 169 Officially Set for Feb.1 with Two Title Fights

Two world title fights headline UFC’s return to Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. In the main event, the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion will be crowned when reigning champion Dominick Cruz (19-1) returns to action after two years away from competition due to injury to meet interim champion Renan Barao (33-1).

In the night’s co-main event, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (23-1) returns to the Octagon to face proven finisher Ricardo Lamas (13-2).

Also on the card, two former heavyweight champions collide when former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir battles former Strikeforce titleholder Alistair Overeem.

“We put together a fight worthy of Super Bowl weekend,” UFC president Dana White said. “It’s the fight that everyone has been waiting for – champion vs. champion – Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao for the 135-pound title. Dominick Cruz is the reigning champion and hasn’t lost a fight in six years. He takes on the interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao, who’s been on a tear with a 30-fight win streak and hasn’t lost in eight years. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, two of the best 135-pounders on Earth: the world is finally going to find out who is the undisputed 135-pound champion!

“Plus, the unstoppable Jose Aldo takes on the man everyone has been waiting to see him fight, Ricardo Lamas. Aldo has been the 145-pound champion since 2009 and he’s torn through the featherweight division. But Ricardo Lamas has heavy hands, great wrestling and will be the toughest test of Aldo’s career.”